Welney Wetland Centre

Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus

Tuesday 10 March  

sad to say had to postpone/cancel today's visit to Attenborough due to expected bad weather but, at the last minute, took myself off to Welney Wetland Centre near march on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.  Indeed, surprised to see how close the site was to Stamford and arrived just over an hour later than mt 9.30 departure.  Very pleasant weather all morning apart from the stiff breeze but plenty of shelter and the two and a half hours stay produced almost 40 species.

Driving through Welney village I recorded Collared Dove and the local Rooks plus a Kestrel resting on the wires.  And then, as I approached the Visitors Centre on Hundred Foot Bank, not just Crows and Magpies on the bank  but my first sighting of the hundred plus Whooper Swans still wintering on site.  Add on a few Mute Swans and it was like looking at a flock of sheep on the bright green fields.

What a welcome to Welney!

Once inside the delightful Centre I went immediately upstairs and out onto the viewing area to take a long look over Lady Fen and the surrounding fields and waters.  Wood Pigeons to the back but plenty of Coot and Wigeon along with Mallard, Shoveler, a couple of Gadwall, a number of Shelduck plus a few Oystercatchers and a few score of Lapwing set against a backdrop of scores of mainly Whooper but also Mute Swans.

Two Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus resting with Wigeons

Nearer to me the feeders were attracting a dozen or so Tree Sparrows and a steady flow of, mainly male, Reed Buntings.  Moorhens wandered up to join a few Mallard looking for fallen scraps and I also noted at least three Little Egret.  Joined by a couple of other birders we then managed to find a single quartering Marsh Harrier and a couple of resting Buzzards.  Below the Buzzards one of the local White Pheasants put in a brief appearance ad that led to us locating the only Great White Egret of the morning. "Normal" Pheasants to my left along with a few Common Starling plus the finding of a couple of Heron and many, many Black-headed Gulls.  Finally, at the very back of the water, a handful of Greylag Geese were recorded.

Certainly found the Tree Sparrows Passer montanus!

Male (above) and female Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

A walk over the long footbridge to check out the main lagoon from the provided observatories confirmed the very high water level (I had already driven across the flooded plain with the water lapping the road on either side) but relatively few birds.  Most, manly Mallard and Wigeon, were resting on the bank below the hides whilst out on the open water we had a good flock of Pochard and maybe a score or more Tufted Duck.  Just the odd Coot but on a narrow, shallow spit to my right not only resting Wigeon but a pair of Teal, a couple of Redshank and a handful of Black-tailed Godwits plus two Herring Gulls.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula - and you think I need a haircut!

To my left also the, I would think, closed newly constructed duck trap was providing shelter for many of the Pochard and a couple of Whooper Swans.

Female Wigeon Anas penelope

It was then back across the road to the main Centre for a final look over Lady Fen which produced a movement of maybe a thousand plus Golden Plover to join some additional Shelduck to my right before heading back out to the car as Blackbird flew past me.  An easy journey back to Lincolnshire and you know that you are approaching Stamford when you start to see Red Kites in the air above you.

Duck Trap with mix of Pochard, Wigeon, Mallard and Whooper Swans

In addition to the wildfowl, I had splendid views of the local Brown Hares and a herd of five young Red Deer wandering through the meadow in front of me.  Given the sudden decision to visit this site it proved most enjoyable and a reason to try and fit in another visit in May.

Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting.

Just a part of the Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus gathering

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Rutland Water

Monday 9 March

The sun may have been shining when I got up but upon arriving at at Rutland Water a few minutes to eight I was welcomed by a slight drizzle.  Maybe twenty minutes a the Visitors Centre's Feeding Station but no sooner setting off towards Lagoon 2 and the rain become more persistent so necessitating a period of observation at the Redshank Hide looking at blue skies and direct sun whist the rain fell from behind!

Approaching the Visitors Centre I had a mixture of Carrion Crow and Wood Pigeon and, upon arrival in the car park,  no shortage of either Jackdaw or Blackbird.  Suitably clad I made my way to the Feeding Station where I found a couple of hen Pheasants and as many Robins.  mainly Blue Tits to start plus a very hungry Reed Bunting.

Female (above) and male Reed Bunting Emeriza schoeniclus

Then came the Chaffinches and Great Tits along with a number of Dunnocks and more Blackbirds.  The Rooks were scurrying around at the top of the nearby rookery and even a Moorhen arrived to make use of the pond.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

No sooner had I started to walk north than the rain became more persistent but I did see the Oystercatcher as left the VC and then a lone Goldfinch.  Stopping at the Redshank Hide to let the rain shower pass over, Immediately had selection of ducks including Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Teal before adding Great White Egret, Coot, Cormorant and Canada Goose.  Plenty of Black-headed Gulls about and then I s[potted both the Little Egret and a pair of Collared Doves exploring one of the gull nest boxes.  Finally, a Mute Swan flew over as I departed the hide.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

As I made my way towards the Sandpiper Hide overlooking a very full Lagoon 4 a Great Spotted Woodecker was hammering away as if no tomorrow and once inside the shelter many more Black-headed Gulls to be seen along with Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Ducks and a pair of Great Crested Grebes.  A few Shelduck were resting on the large island to front-center and to the far left a lone Lapwing plus a small number of Black-tailed Godwits.  Lovely to see the Greylag Geese looking so smart and fresh.

Greylag Geese Anser anser

The Shoveler Hide overlooking lagoon held many of the above birds but also Shoveler and viewing the water from the Buzzard Hide I also had a close view of a departing Heron.  However, it was the Smew Hide that turned up trump with a very close female Goosander on the northern end of Lagoon 2.

Female Goosander Mergus merganser

So back to the Visitors Centre where, through the window, I had a perfect sighting of a male Smew and a little further out to the right a Great Black-backed Gull.  Just the one Little Grebe noted in the nearby water to my right.

Male Smew Mergellus albellus taken through the window

A quick visit to the Burley Fishponds produced nothing new but there ten Magpies in the field as I passed by.  So back by the same route and then on to the Lyndon Visitors Centre.  Having only re-opened at the week-end, the seed hoppers were full and scores on small birds in attendance above the two pairs of Mallards making use of the pond, albeit they were joined by a couple of Moorhen during my stay.  Lots of Blue and Great Tits along with very many Chaffinches and a good number of both Goldfinch and Greenfinch.  Three male Reed Buntings were ever present and we had an occasional visit from both Dunnock and Robin.  Mind you, all were scattered to the four corners of the wind as a male Sparrowhawk flashed through the feeding area - but striking a single bird.

Male Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

However, it was not the one short visit from a Coal Tit that was the "bird of the moment" but the two "lengthy" visits to the seed hopper by a male Brambling that gave all present plenty of time to admire its plumage and state of moult.  finally, a couple of Tree Sparrows arrived along with a single House Sparrow and then it was time to make my way home and approaching the end of the water a Red Kite graced me with its presence to give a final total of 46 species.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Smew, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone

Courting Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Teal Anas crecca

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Duck and gulls on Lagoon 4

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RSPB Frampton Marsh, Boston

Wednesday 4 March

Brent Geese Branta bernicla over Frampton Marsh

With a Kestrel resting in a tree as I approached Langtoft I was soon over to Boston, passing the rookery where the Rooks were putting the finishing touches to their nests and a couple of Pheasants were feeding in the adjacent field to the entry to RSPB Frampton Marsh Reserve.  A couple of Collared Doves and accompanying House Sparrows were around the last cottages.  Clear blue skies and relatively mild as I spent over three hours touring the site and recording 49 species before making my way back to Stamford before the promised afternoon rain (yet to arrive!).

Just a few of the thousand plus Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Lots of recent rain has left the site very wet but some scrapes still relatively "dry" and many flooded fields.  Not just the usual hundreds of Lapwing spread all over the site but Brent Geese numbers probably totalled over a thousand and more than the Wigeon population.  After a quick look at the main pool in front of the Visitors Centre which held Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Pochard and Coot along with Greylag and Brent Geese, I drove down to the far car park to walk up onto the elevated marsh bank to check out the surroundings with my scope.  Hundreds of Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal and Lapwing to be seen as well as the continuous swirling of the wintering Golden Plover flock which still totalled almost 5,000.  The occasional Magpie and Carrion Crow drifted across the site and walking southwards along the bank I found a pair of Oystercatchers to my left and a few Redshank on the reserve side of the bank.

Distant record shot of Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Apart from the above, everywhere seemed to be full of Brent Geese, there were a few Black-headed Gulls and the occasional Moorhen.  A handful of Ruff were recorded plus a pair of Grey Plover and a lone Merlin perched on a distant post on the saltmarsh.  Also present a quartet of Little Egret and a sole Little Grebe feeding in a deep pool below the bank. Scattered Mute Swans in most area but the wintering Whooper Swans were much further aw to the south so I gave them a miss.  Making my way back to the car I also encountered a very small number of Black-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank and a handful of Curlew.

Wintering Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Having parked in the main car park I then took a closer look a clockwise walk top, north-western corner of the site adding Blue Tits and a couple of Reed Bunting before reaching then Reedbed Hide.  From here, in addition to the many Brent Geese, I also found a few Greylag Geese and Wigeon plus a pair of Goldeneye.

Male Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Refreshments were consumed at the 360 Hide whilst I watched the nearby Wigeon and a pair of Canada Geese.  A Redshank was bust feeding to me left (north) and a quartet of Ringed Plover were a little further away.  On the far side a bout a dozen Dunlin were feeding.  Distant Shelduck were also seen and to the front, eastwards, I had a pair of Oystercatchers, a Stock Dove and a couple of Curlew.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

The walk back to the Visitors Centre produced a score of Common Starling in the hedgerow and more Coot on the nearby water.  Both Gadwall and Tufted Duck were also recorded.  Finally, on saying farewell to the wardens I noticed that the small number of House Sparrows at the feeder had been joined by a single Tree Sparrow and Great Tits whilst the distant island held a trio of Avocet and the pair of Great Crested Grebes were busy putting on a courtship display.  No surprise to come across a couple of Pheasants as I exited the reserve.

Male Wigeon Anas penelope

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Kestrel, Merlin, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

More photos:

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Black-trailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Wintering Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Wigeon Anas penelope (female on left)

Male Teal Anas crecca

Canada Geese Branta canadensis

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Wednesday 4 March

As I was preparing for a sunny but cold morning at Frampton Marsh near Boston on the east coast of the UK, friend Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group were heading off in warmer climes to Cabo de Gata.  Makes good reading but no Trumpter Finch despite finding  couple of Dotterel.

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 4th March

Gilly's still in England, so I drove on my own to Cabo de Gata, seeing a Collared Dove and Spotless Starling before

I reached the Pujaire cafe meeting point.  There I was met by Alan, John, Trevor, Alec, Peter and Iain.  Val was supposed to come but had been stung by bees on her face for the 2nd time in under a fortnight!  We wish her a speedy recovery.

We headed for the first hide.  Alan was first to spot the Meadow Pipit on the power line.  The usual Greater Flamingos were there.  On the rocky causeway, Alan and I combined to identify two Spotted Redshanks.  There were also 5 Little Egrets.  Alan saw a pair of Stone Curlew landing on the right hand savanna.  Peter spotted an Iberian Grey Shrike.  Some Jackdaws and Mallards flew by.  Alan added White and Yellow Wagtails.  Trevor found a Thekla Lark.  Then on the stone wall and its surrounds to our right a male Stonechat was seen followed by a female Black Redstart.  Next to appear was a Bluethroat, spotted by Alec. (Sorry, Sue!)  Also in same area was a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler.  Above the village was a small flock of Crag Martins.  John saw both Black-headed and Audouin's Gulls.  Alan found a walking Eurasian Curlew between us and the village.  As I viewed it, a Kingfisher flew by  Alan added a Grey Heron.

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved to the beach opposite the second hide.  John saw some Gannets.  From the hide we saw Yellow-legged and Slende-billed Gulls.  Sardinian Warblers flitted about the bushes . Some Avocets were seen on the far side.  In the same area I found a group of 18 Common Crane.

Distant Cranes Grus grus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We then drove in convoy to opposite the third hide. Sat not 10 metres from where I parked were two Dotterels. (3 seen later)  As we walked to the hide there was a Hoopoe on the path.  We heard then saw Corn Buntings.  The Spoonbills were still there and now in greater numbers, 29 in all.  Also seen were Cormorants, some Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Little Stint.  John added a Great Crested Grebe.  Three Cattle Egrets were seen on our walk back to the vehicles.

Dotterel Charadrius morinellus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Moving on to the public hide, I spotted a perched Kestrel on the pylon.  From the hide I added a Redshank whilst John and Co found Sanderling, Dunlin, Shelduck, Sandwich Tern and Mediterranean Gulls to the right hand side.

After a refreshment break where John saw more Gannets and an Audouin's Gull, we headed for the Rambla Morales.  I didn't see anything en route, but Alan had a Black Redstart.  There was nothing at the estuary end.  From the mound, Trevor spotted a Raven near the water treatment plant.  We only heard a Greenshank.  A Kestrel and Eurasian Curlew were seen flying by.  John added a Moorhen and the Raven was sitting on a post as we drove back along the track.  As we were having our tapas lunch the final species of the day turned up....a House Sparrow!

We ended on 52 species. A very good days birding in good weather and company!

Regards, Dave

 

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Potterick Carr, Doncster

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Tuesday 3 March

Beautiful, clear and sunny start as I set from Stamford at 8am to collect birding friend, Chris bell from Worksop and then on up to the large Yorkshire Wildlife Trust site at Potterick Carr on the outskirts of Doncaster.  Mind you, apart from the starting temperature of 2C and a brief high of 5 it was mainly 4C most of the morning then rising to a dizzy height of maybe 8 or even 9C be mid-afternoon.  Whatever, a most enjoyable day at a site that Chris knows well and what better way to start than having a handful of Redwing along with a few Blackbirds as we made our way from car park to entrance for a coffee before starting out to explore the site.

Record sho

The nearby trees also produced Great Tits and Chaffinches whilst on the water in front of the Visitors Centre we had a few Mallard, Coot and a Little Grebe.  In addition, as well as House Sparrows we had a number of Jackdaws on the feeders.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Leaving the Visitors Centre we followed the Northern Drain and on to the hide overlooking the Willow Marsh.  Our walk produced Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits plus Goldfinch.  A view of the Old Eea Marsh revealed a couple of Shelduck and Black-headed Gulls plus calling Cettis's Warblers and approaching the hide, in addition to Blue and Great Tits, a sighting of a Marsh/Willow Tit.  (Also seen and heard by Chris on the return journey would suggest that the bird was actually a Willow Tit.)  Also present were a pair of Canada Geese and Moorhen whilst feeding on the feeders and beneath were a good number of both Blue and Great Tits along with the occasional Coal Tit, many Chaffinches and a handful of Reed Bunting.  Both Robin and Dunnock put in appearances and the hen Pheasant certainly seemed much smaller than one would expect.

Canada Geese Brantis canadensis

Walking through the trees also produced Magpie, Rook, carrion Crow, Rook and Wood Pigeon.  Indeed, the barren trees near the railway line also produced both Blackbirds and more Redwing.

Moving on to visit the three hides on the western side of the Huxter Well Marsh we found many birds.  From the Duchess Hide we had good views Tufted Duck, Pochard and Teal whilst a Kestrel hovered away in front of us.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

In pool 1a we could see a pair of Mute Swans and so on to Hawthorne bank Hide.  Here, in addition to Cormorants we had a range of duck and and water birds, mainly making use of the two small islands to our left.  At least three Little Egret and a few Lapwing plus a number of Wigeon and Teal.  Also seen a handful of Gadwall and more Pochards on the open water along with Coots and with the help of a scope we also managed to locate the sleeping Snipe.  Chris heard a Water Rail on at least two occasions to my single hearing.  Both Greylag Geese and Great Crested Grebes on the open water and then Chris found the single Wren tucked away in a low bust to our left.  Meanwhile, we were entertained to the feeding activities of a number of Long-tailed Tits on the open trees to the front.

Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus

The third of the hides, St Catherines's, proved to be a gem.  Relatively quiet as we looked over the bank to where we had just departed nevertheless a single Moorhen on the left bank which seemed to be tied to the same spot.  Away to our distant left we found a soaring Buzzard but just happening to check the reeds below me a beautiful male Bearded Tit (Reedling) came into view for a few seconds - never to be seen again.  The only other bird seen was a foraging Robin below the fence to our left.

Distant Common Gull Larus canus

A walk along the wet path to both the Tofield and Roger Mitchell Hides produced nothing new other than an immature Herring and a trio of Common Gulls.  Far too wet underfoot to carry on so it was retrace our steps to the Willow Marsh Hide as the rain started to fall.  Why does it always start when you are at the furthest most distance from base?  Arriving at the Willow Marsh Hide to see out the rain, we were again presented with many tits, mainly Blue and Great but also the occasional Coal and Long-tailed Tit.  Indeed, Chris was able to actually catch the call of the Willow Tit as referred to at the beginning.  Also present the pair of Canada Geese along with many Chaffinches, Dunnock and Reed Buntings.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Time for a coffee and Chris was informed that  a pair of Avocets had been seen so as he made a return journey after a coffee break to confirm I started out on the long drive back to Stamford.  A most enjoyable day's birding with Chris and, all being well and weather providing, perhaps a second join venture next week.

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information